Amanda Franz & Jonathan Leung

Jonathan Leung is a senior at Chatham High School in Chatham, New Jersey. He began his piano studies at the age of six and has been studying piano under the instruction of Carmela Cecere of Chatham for the past four years.

Jonathan participates in the annual competitions held by the Piano Teachers Society of America (PTSA), and has played at Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall as a winner during the past three years. Besides playing piano, Jonathan enjoys playing the violin and singing in the acappella choir at school, the Allstate choir, and in the shower. He plans on attending college next year but is undecided what to choose as his major. Although Jonathan is sure that he will not select music as his major, he is certain that music will always remain a very important integral component of his life. Jonathan thanks all his music teachers for their inspiration, Ms. Cecere for her prodding to keep him on track musically, and his parents for all their support, patience, and faith.

Jonathan Leung is a winner in the 2003 Fifth Annual Andrew De Grado Piano Competition in the Piano Accompanist Category with cello soloist Amanda Franz in their performance of Elegie by Fauré.

Amanda Franz is a junior at Chatham High School. She has been studying cello with Marnie Kaller of Convent Station, New Jersey since she was nine years old. Amanda plays cello in the High School Orchestra, and in the pit during school plays. Also, she plays in the Livingston Symphony Orchestra. During the past two years, Amanda has performed with a quartet and trio at Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall after the winning a competition with Christina Berdos, Jonathan Leung and John Lee. Recently, Amanda performed as cello soloist with Jonathan Leung, piano accompanist in the Fifth Annual Andrew De Grado Piano Competition Recital, which was held at Kean University. She plans to continue her musical studies after graduating high school in 2005 and pursue a career in music.